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Athens Community Center hosted a Medicare 101 session on Tuesday.

Athens residents attend Medicare presenation

The Athens Community Center hosted a Medicare 101 session on Tuesday to inform the public of Medicare benefits and options. 

The presentation is part of the Ohio Department of Insurance’s Medicare Basis and aims to provide Medicare beneficiaries with free, objective health insurance information and one-on-one counseling through a program called the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, or OSHIIP.

The program hosts over 150 events in the 88 counties in Ohio, while also offering web seminars for people that are unable to attend the presentation. 

OSHIPP director Chris Reeg said this is the busiest time of year for the seminars because the open enrollment date is quickly approaching.

“Our goal is to provide objective, unbiased information,” Reeg said. “Doing a public event is one of many ways we put this information out through the state of Ohio. We enjoy Athens because it has a great facility and the community comes out to hear the information.”

While most attendees have had Medicare plans before, the stipulations and regulations of the plans change throughout the year. 

“I’ve had a Medicare plan before, but I came here to see if there were any new changes to the plans and to be familiar with the options,” said Susan Taylor, an Athens resident who attended the seminar. 

OSHIIP also sent out informational postcards this year, Taylor said. She believes this is the reason for high attendance at Tuesday’s seminar. 

Other participants in federal health insurance programs feel the program is very useful and informative, but the wording in information booklets is confusing.

“I definitely need to read my books. It’s so big and the new one that came from Medicare is super thick. Common explanations would also help,” said Wendy Toadvine, retired school teacher and Athens resident. 

Most people get their Medicare health coverage in one of two ways. Costs for participants vary depending on the plan, coverage and services used. Participants that qualify can update or switch Medicare drug and Advantage plans from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. New coverage begins Jan. 1.

@loganr_moore

lm847015@ohio.edu 

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